Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives
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homelessness

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Inside of a homeless shelter
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Homelessness is Exceptionally Hard to Solve

Sunrise pastor Mark Hilbelink said its navigation center last year helped more than 800 people get off the streets. Michael Busby was typical among those who benefited. He told the press that Sunrise staffers "helped me out a lot. They helped me restore my sanity. They help out with housing, they help out with medication, they keep your meds for you, and they give them out to you every day or every week." Read More ›
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The United States Supreme Court at dusk
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U.S. Supreme Court Backs Local Communities in Nation’s Homeless Response

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Grants Pass v. Johnson that city ordinances against public camping do not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” under the Eighth Amendment. The Court’s decision is a win not only for the small Oregon city of Grants Pass, but also for dozens of Western localities that had been hamstrung by the Ninth Circuit as they grapple with record high rates of homelessness. In response to the ruling, Robert Marbut, Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute and former Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said, “The Supreme Court’s reversal of the Ninth Circuit’s opinion in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson is a great first step in giving authority back to local Read More ›

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Children Spotted Living in Homeless Encampment

Multiple kids have been spotted living in this North Seattle encampment infested with drugs and trash. On Monday, We Heart Seattle outreach workers called police for help. By the time officers arrived, a mom and her 8-year-old son took off to avoid them. Read More ›
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Aerial view of american suburb at summertime.  Establishing shot of american neighborhood. Real estate, residential houses. Drone shot, from above
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Not In My Backyard: When Serving the Homeless Clashes with Neighbors

Five miles southwest of "Church Under the Bridge" is Sunrise Community, a church that's part of everyday trench warfare against homelessness. At 11 am on Wednesday, May 22, 60 people (mostly in T-shirts and worn jeans, and carrying plastic shopping bags) waited patiently in two quiet lines. One line was for lunch: Two volunteers sat at a table handing out cups of cold water and plates of pizza and sandwiches. The other line was for everything else, including picking up ID cards and bus passes. One window was for getting mail — for thousands, it's their only address. Read More ›
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Dow Constantine Is Wrong on Homelessness

If you think addiction or mental illness contribute to homelessness, King County Executive Dow Constantine is here to tell you you're wrong. But what does his source of authority, University of Washington researcher Gregg Colburn, actually say? Let's unpack "Homelessness is a Housing Problem." Read More ›
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Burien Police Chief Resigns Amid Ongoing Litigation Between City and County

Burien Police Chief Ted Boe is calling it quits. In his resignation letter sent out Tuesday afternoon, Boe says he found a new gig but did not get into all the details. His last day on the job as top cop in the city will be August 15. This is a developing story. Read More ›
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Seattle Fire Department Advises People Avoid Area of Building Fire

Seattle Fire says crews will be on scene in Seattle's Chinatown-ID for several more hours as they try to knock out a fire that torched an empty building that could collapse. All traffic is blocked off on S. Jackson St. between 12th Ave & 10th Ave. Avoid area. Read More ›
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Homeless Inundated with Smoke Near Seattle Chinatown Building Fire

Some homeless living in an encampment on a hillside above the Chinatown-ID fire are complaining of smoke inhalation. At least 20 people are staying in tents and structures. Fire crews are still dealing with hot spots inside a vacant building at the corner of 10th Ave. & Jackson St in Seattle. Read More ›
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Seattle Building Destroyed by Fire Regularly Used by Homeless and Drug Addicts

Seattle Fire crews still dealing with hot spots inside a vacant building at the corner of 10th Ave & Jackson St. in Chinatown-ID. At this point, investigators say the cause of the Monday morning fire is still unclear. But neighbors say homeless people and drug addicts have been breaking into this property and squatting. No reports of injuries. Read More ›
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male homeless and his dog
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Beyond the “Vets, Pets, and Kids” View of Homelessness

This column starts my third year of weekly writing about homelessness, with the goal of learning, teaching, and eventually turning the columns into a book. Both human interest and intellectual interest propel me. I'll start with the human interest and the two words "suffered enough." The expression comes to mind every time I live in a homeless shelter for a few days and ask residents about their pasts. Read More ›